Baseball: All-Stars stay alive in District 9 tourney

The 2012 Little League All-Star season kicked off Saturday with the District 9 tournament in three age groups. All eight Hollister teams played at least one game, and no team has been eliminated.

Here is a rundown of the games so far:

11-12 National

The Hollister National team opened the all-star season on Monday with a 12-1 win over Hollister American in Salinas. The National team was led by pitcher Tyler Triano, who threw all five innings and allowed only three hits. He struck out seven batters in the win.

Offensively, the win was a team effort that included three home runs. Zach Livingston and Javier Valdez hit back-to-back home runs in a seven-run fourth inning that blew the game open. Isaiah Bueno’s home run came early for the Hollister attack.

The National team opened the game with two runs in the first inning, grabbing a 2-1 lead after one inning. They followed with a run in second and third innings to extend their lead.

The Nationals play Ferrasci in Gonzales on Thursday.

11-12 American

The Hollister American team opened the District 9 tournament Saturday with an 18-0 victory over Gonzales. The win propelled the American team into Monday’s game against the Hollister National squad.

After losing to the other Hollister team 12-1, the Americans defeated Atlantic 10-0 to stay alive in the elimination bracket on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the American team won again, beating Soledad 6-1 to advance to Friday’s game at 7 p.m. in Hollister.

If the team wins its next three games, it will advance to the 11-12 championship game on July 7.

10-11 National

Behind the arm of Jordan Yeager, the Hollister National All-Star team advance to the quarterfinals of the District 9 championship bracket on Wednesday by beating Ferrasci 6-2.

Yeager threw 5 2-3 innings and allowed both runs in the victory.

“He only gave up one walk,” manager Blair Biersdorff said. “It was a very good pitching performance.”

The National squad started the scoring early with one run in the first inning to grab the game’s lead. The Nationals added four more in the second inning to build a 5-0 lead.

“We were really patient at the plate,” Biersdorff said. “We took a lot of walks.”

Anthony Espinoza drove in two runs with an RBI double. Matt Harris and Dawson Biersdorff each added an RBI base hit in the victory.

The Nationals opened the tournament on Monday with a 16-3 victory over Gonzales.

The team will face Hartnell at 1 p.m. Saturday at Gene Robertson Park in Salinas.

10-11 American

Despite a strong game from pitcher Luis Montero, the Hollister American All-Star team was sent down to the District 9 elimination bracket Wednesday with a 9-8 loss to Hartnell.

The all-star team held a 8-6 lead entering the final inning, before a Hartnell rally stunned Hollister.

Montero started the game on the mound for Hollister and pitched well, manager Brandon Morioka said. At the plate, Montero started the offense with a solo home run.

“He was one of the best players on the field,” Morioka said.

Hollister took an early 2-0 lead before building a 8-6 lead in the final inning.

“It was a phenomenal game,” Morioka said. “They just got some good hits.”

The American’s started the tournament with a 10-0 win over Soledad on Saturday.

Montero started the game and allowed only two runners in four innings.

“He was lights out the whole time,” Morioka said.

The Americans will play Gonzales at 5 p.m. Friday in Hollister. The location may change.

9-10 National

The Hollister National team opened the District 9 tournament with a dominant 16-2 victory over an overmatched Greenfield team on Tuesday. Hollister scored 11 runs in the first inning to win the game.

Kaleb Guttirez started for Hollister and threw two shutout innings. He did not allow a baserunner.

Offensively, the entire team recorded at least one hit, manager Mitch Burley said.

“The whole team contributed to the win,” Burley said.

The victory sets up a game against the Hollister American team at 1 p.m. Saturday at Rodeo Field in Salinas.

9-10 American

The Hollister American All-Star team started the District 9 tournament with a bang. In two games, the Americans outscored their opponents 27 to 2 and have yet to trail.

The Americans opened the tournament with a 13-1 victory over Atlantic on Sunday. John Correa started the game and only allowed one run.

But the more impressive game came Tuesday in Prunedale.

The Americans “overpowered” Hartnell and won 24-1.

“We haven’t been tested yet,” manager Richard McAbee said.

Correa and Jake Yamasaki both pitched and limited Hartnell. Donnovan McAbee hit a 2-run home run in the victory for the American squad.

The victories have been a complete team effort, though, McAbee said.

“We’ve had contributions from our No. 1 player to our No. 13 player,” he said. “Everyone has done something (good).”

The victories sends the Americans into Saturday’s game against the Hollister National team at Rodeo Field in Salinas at 1 p.m.

9-under

The 9-and-under American All-Star team opened their invitational tournament with a 15-0 win over Gonzales on Wednesday.

They will play Hartnell at 9 a.m. Sunday at Doglione Memorial Field in Salinas.

The National All-Star team opened its tournament Thursday against Continental in Salinas.